And the hallowed grounds of the All England Club seemingly quaked in disbelief as two of its former champions and greatest players in the game made early second round exits on Wednesday afternoon.

First there was the 31-year-old Sampras, a seven-time champion here, playing out on Graveyard Court No. 2 who was shocked by unheralded lucky loser George Bastl of Switzerland 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4.

Then almost before anyone could recover, the 32-year-old Andre Agassi, the 1992 titlist, was stunned in surprisingly quick order by Thai Paradorn Srichaphan 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

Is this a sign that the thirty-something competitors are on their last legs? Is it a sign that the competition is getting tougher and tougher as the hours tick by?

The answer is probably a little bit of both, but neither player seems daunted by the roadblocks ahead. Visibly disappointed by losing before being here long enough to even send out their laundry, both Sampras and Agassi claim they have every intention of being present at Wimbledon for the 2003 go around.
Of course, John McEnroe and Boris Becker – two former Wimbledon champions – took the occasion to weigh in on whether Sampras and Agassi should make a return engagement. Both were in agreement that Sampras nor Agassi came to the court with their games ready for the task at hand on Wednesday. But after that they had some disagreement as to where that leaves the American stars.

McEnroe expects to see Sampras back regardless if his game is in shape or not, saying, “I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t come back a couple of times. He’s not going to go out like that, like he did today.”

Becker – who retired in 1997 a three-time Wimbledon champion only to return for one more shot at the Centre Court in 1999 – seems to feel Sampras might need to be more realistic about where his game is. Becker said, ‘I know he’d like to stay around a little longer and it was a tough loss today, but this is just a part of life. There are no happy endings.”

Boris also pointed out the obvious in that to stick around Sampras is going to have to work even harder than he has been and wonders if he can still find that type of dedication on a consistent basis.

BECKER COUNTS SAMPRAS OUT

“I think Pete has to face the fact that he hasn’t won a tournament in over two years and his best go was here on the grass,” Becker said “In order to come back here or stay in the game, he’s going to have to change things in his game dramatically. I don’t know if he’s going to want to work that hard. I think the U.S Open will be very telling for him. If he goes there and reaches the semifinals, finals, then will see him back here. If not, I’m not so sure.”

As for Andre Agassi, McEnroe says, “He’s still the guy in tennis. He’s the biggest personality in the game and a major credit to the sport.”

And Becker is betting that between the two, we’ll be watching Agassi hit fuzzy yellow balls on the grass in 2003, saying, “I think we have a better chance to see Andre back than Pete. He’s definitely a top-five draw. I was really surprised to see him lose today and I’m sure he’ll be back.”

What this all bring to mind is the importance that both Sampras and Agassi has held in the game, where their presence in a tournament continues to guarantee good ticket sales for tournament directors. What it also brings to mind is that no matter what talent is out there in the new generation, replacing the star stature of Sampras and Agassi might be too big a demand on any of the up-and-comers out there, at least for the immediate future.

angiel

03-23-2006, 07:46 PM

http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportsamprasjoy.jpg

SAMPRAS OVERCOMES FATIGUE

Pete Sampras admitted after winning the US Open title he had been struggling against tiredness in the third set as Andre Agassi lifted his game.

"I was feeling it. I was definitely feeling a little bit of fatigue. I just hung in there the best that I could at the end and got it done," said Sampras.

"He started picking it up, especially his return of serve - he made me work real hard, then broke me. I was still up a set, I still felt pretty good out there.

"I just hung in there, got through some tough games at 2-1, down a couple break points. 4-3 down a couple break points. Then picked it up there to serve it out. It all happened pretty quick."

He was happy to bask in the pleasure of his win, but admitted he would soon be contemplating where to take his career from here.

"Just, you know, I don't know where I'm going to go from here; I really don't. Gonna take some time to enjoy it, reflect a little bit and kind of see where I'm at."

He picked out holding his serve in the fourth game of the fourth set as the key to breaking Agassi's momentum, which had built so compellingly in the third set.

"It was a massive game. The momentum definitely switched there in the third. The crowd was getting into it. He had a couple break points there. I managed to squeak it out.

"It was a huge turning point just to kind of hold on to serve there. I still felt like I was in it. So there's some big points there I got through."

Agassi also reflected on that turning point, and said the match was as close as any the pair had ever fought out over their long careers.

"It was close," Agassi said.

"But you certainly come here to try to get the job done. (I) felt like I had a good opportunity to do that.

"I feel like a first loser, if that makes sense," said Agassi, who converted only two of his 12 break points while Sampras was successful four of eight.

"It's disappointing, there's no way around that. (But) I think I've been more disappointed in my career."

He took a moment to contemplate his own immediate future.

"I suppose I'll sit down and assess (my plans for the rest of the year)," Agassi said.

"I mean, I'm obviously scheduled to play the big tournaments that are still left, so I'll go from there."

Sampras summed up the moment when reflected on whether the two, who have been playing each other since they were up-and coming stars, would ever meet again in such a high-profile match.

"It's hard to say what the future is going to hold for us," Sampras said.

"You know, to meet in major finals, players are too good today - where we were five years ago when we were dominating, now, this could be it for us.

wig is not natural, and if heavy winds blow while he is wearing the wig, his secrets will reveal :devil: :haha: :haha: :woohoo: , so better to shave all his hairs like agassi :devil:
Of course we do, I am going to send him a wig. :haha: :haha: :haha:

angiel

03-30-2006, 09:36 PM

wig is not natural, and if heavy winds blow while he is wearing the wig, his secrets will reveal :devil: :haha: :haha: :woohoo: , so better to shave all his hairs like agassi :devil:

No, I dont think shaving his head will work for Pete, I will find him some hair soon :p ;) :rolleyes: :wavey:

almouchie

03-31-2006, 09:59 AM

no sampras will age with grace with hair or not
he surely won't shave his head bold
he isnt too bothered by it .

Mimi

04-03-2006, 07:33 AM

agreed :worship:
no sampras will age with grace with hair or not
he surely won't shave his head bold
he isnt too bothered by it .